Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 13, § 1021 - Definitions

(a) A "siren" is an audible warning device that produces the readily recognizable warning sound identified with emergency vehicles. An audible device, such as a vehicle theft alarm, that produces a sound with one or more of the following characteristics is not a siren:

(1) an unvarying sound.

(2) a varying sound that cycles at a rate faster than 400 cycles per minute.

(3) a discontinuous sound that repeats at rates lower than 90 cycles per minute or higher than 400 cycles per minute.

(4) a sound frequency (and any second harmonics) lower than 100 Hz or higher than 5,000 Hz.

(b) An "authorized emergency vehicle siren" is a device that meets the requirements of this article.

(c) An "electromechanical siren" consists of a stator and rotor driven by an electric motor.

(d) An "electronic siren" consists of an oscillator, amplifier, and speaker.

(e) A "mechanical siren" consists of a stator and rotor driven by a mechanical connection to a moving part of the vehicle or engine.

(f) "Manual" means a siren control that allows the operator to produce a wailing sound by alternately applying and releasing a momentary contact switch.

(g) "Wail" is a siren sound producing a slow, continuous automatic cycling of increasing and decreasing frequencies and sound levels.

(h) "Yelp" is a siren sound producing a rapid, continuous automatic cycling of increasing and decreasing frequencies and sound levels.

(i) "Hi-Lo" means a nonsiren sound alternating between a fixed high and a fixed low frequency.

(j) "ANS" means a standard adopted by the American National Standards Institute, Inc., 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018.

(k) "SAE" means a standard or recommended practice of the Society of Automotive Engineers, 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096.

Notes

Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 13, § 1021

Note: Authority cited: Section 26103, Vehicle Code. Reference: Sections 26103, 26104 and 27002, Vehicle Code.